Whitianga: Cathedral Cove Catamaran Sail & Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.97 (60 reviews) 97% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/9

Duration3h 30m

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Sail past Cathedral Cove on a wind-powered catamaran, then anchor to snorkel

You board a modern catamaran at Whitianga beach and sail Mercury Bay's coastline under wind power, passing Cathedral Cove's iconic stone archway without leaving the boat. At Gemstone Bay, you anchor in a marine reserve and can snorkel among protected fish life or relax on deck. The trip includes snorkeling equipment, a local beer or wine, and fresh fruit, with toilets and changing areas on board. The whole afternoon takes 3.5 hours.

3h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Afternoon sailing and marine reserve visit

Check in by 1:30pm
Depart beach at 1:45pm
Sail along coastline to Cathedral Cove
View Cathedral Cove from yacht
Sail past Mercury Bay scenery
Anchor at Gemstone Bay
Swim or snorkel in marine reserve
Relax onboard with local drink and fruit
Return to beach by 5:15pm

The Experience

The boat leaves Whitianga beach at 1:45pm, and you're on it. Check in by 1:30pm, settle onto one of the beanbags strung across the catamaran's deck, and watch the Coromandel coastline start to move. The crew handles the sails — you can help if you want, or just sit there while the wind does the work. No engines, no fuel smell, just the sound of water and the boat tilting slightly as it catches the breeze.

Cathedral Cove comes up first, maybe forty minutes in. The boat doesn't land there — you stay aboard and get close enough to see the stone archway properly, the way it frames the beach behind it. It's the kind of thing that looks smaller in photos than it does when you're actually floating in front of it. After that, the catamaran swings toward Gemstone Bay, where the anchor goes down and the water turns clear enough that you can see the seafloor. The marine reserve is protected — no fishing, which means the fish aren't shy. Snorkeling gear is on board, and the crew will tell you what's down there before you jump in. If you'd rather not get wet, nobody minds; the beanbags are still there.

A chilled local beer or New Zealand wine comes out while you're anchored, along with fresh fruit. The boat has toilets and changing areas, so you're not dripping salt water across the deck for the ride back. The whole thing wraps up at 5:15pm. In April, the timing shifts earlier — departure at 11:00am, return at 2:30pm — so check which season you're booking into.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes use of snorkeling equipment, a complementary chilled local beer or New Zealand wine with fresh fruit, access to onboard toilets and changing areas, and the catamaran sail itself through Mercury Bay and past Cathedral Cove.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Boom Sailing

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Cathedral Cove and snorkel in a marine reserve without arranging a separate boat or driving yourself — the fixed departure time and included gear mean you just show up and the afternoon is already planned.